Dodgers Actively Pursuing Tanaka

After signing Clayton Kershaw to the largest contract in baseball history for a pitcher–7 years $215 million, the Dodgers are still interested in signing Masahiro Tanaka, ESPN Los Angeles reported:

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said he has had talks with the agent for Japanese star Masahiro Tanaka nearly every day this week. Teams have until next Friday to reach a deal with Tanaka once they’ve agreed to pay his Japanese team its $20 million posting fee. Even with a payroll that is approaching $250 million for 2014, the Dodgers say they haven’t necessarily reached the limits of their budget.

The thought of flanking an already talented rotation with Tanaka should strike fear in the heart of the National League. The Dodgers have made things abundantly clear that they’re ready to commit to the long haul.

The Dodgers closest competition for Tanaka are the Yankees, who are in dire need of a lift in their rotation and could possibly land him.